Float-valve.



G. J. GRIFFIN.

FLOAT VALVE. APPLICATION Hun APR.13, 190s.

Patented Apr. 13, 1909.

: ww flw GEORGE J. GRIFFIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLOAT-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 13, 1908.

Patented April 13, 1909.

Serial No. 426,857.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. GRIFFIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usei'ul Imprgvements in FloatVa-lves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to valves and particularly to float operated valves for tanks.

The object of my invention is to provide a valve of the character mentioned which may be used with either high or low pressure systems.

A further object of my invention is to provide a valve as mentioned, which, when in opened position shall be out of the direct turn of the inflowing water and so arranged that the pressure of the water shall be equal u on all sides at all times, and shall be equal afiove and below the same except when in closed position. I am aware that numerous attempts have been made to provide a valve of this character adapted to be used with high pressure system, but so far as I am aware those which have heretofore been provided have been objectionable for one or more reasons In some the construction is so complicated that the valve is too expensive for general use. Others employ a piston or second member on the valve stem against which the ressure of the water is exerted to balance t 1e pressure on the valve. The piston must necessarily fit snugly in a cylinder. This is quite an expensive construction and one which is liable to get out of order as slight leakage about the piston makes the valve inoperative. In others the pressure is unbalanced or upon one side only of the valve and valve stem which creates too much friction between the valve stem and its guide to permit free movement of the valve.

A further object of my invention is to provide a valve of the character under consideration which shall be perfectly balanced at all times Without the employment of an auxiliary piston, a valve which shall close in the direction of the inflowing water and which shall be uninfluenced by the infiowing Water except at the instant before it closes, and one which shall not readily get out of order.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

My invention Will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a valve embodying my invention in its pred'erred form, Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line ar of 1, and Fig. 3 is a similar section on the line g y of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings 1 indicates the bottom of a tank and 2 the shell of the device. The shell comprises a cylindrical member closed at its upper end by a top 8 preferably formed integrally therewith and is centrally perforated as at 4 to form a guideway for the valve stem. The member 2 is horizontally slotted forming side discharge openings 5, the upper edges of which are formed with a depending lip or flange 6 which direct the water downwardly as it issues from the discharge openings. The shell 2 is provided with a diaphragm 7 which is concave on its lower face as indicated at 8. The diaphragm is centrally apertured as at 9 for the valve stem and is formed with a valve seat 10 in its concave face 8 surrounding the aperture 9.

Threaded into the lower end of the shell 2 is a cylindrical member 11 which extends through the bottom of the tank and to the lower end of which is secured the supply pipe 12. Formed integrally with the member 11 and concentrically therein is a cylindrical pocket 13. The pocket 13 is closed at its lower end by a bottom 1 1 and its upper end is flush or in the same plane with the upper end of the member 11. The upper edge 11 of the member 11 approximately engages the lower edge 8 of the diaphragm. However, the concavity of the underface of the diaphragm forms a free passage 15 for the water above the upper edge of the pocket 13.

16 indicates the valve stem which fits snugly in the apertures 4 and 9 but is freely slidable therethrough. Upon the lower end of the stem 16 is secured the valve 17 which is formed of rubber or other suitable material. The valve 17 is of less diameter than the pocket 13 and passes freely thereinto as the water is drawn from the tank where it is out of the influence of the direct current of the inflowing water. As the valve is of less diameter than the pocket it is evident that the pressure of the water is equalized thereon, and as it is out of the direct current of the inflowing water the water has no influence on said valve to prevent the same from closing freely. As the valve rises above the pocket into the concave portion of the diaphragm, which it does an instant before it closes, it is acted upon by the current and forcibly seated. The valve stem 16 is connected by a stem 16 of much less diameter to the float 18. Secured to the upper end of the stem portion 16 is a plate 19. The plate or disk 19 is substantially equal in diameter to the cylinder 2 and serves as a baffle for the water which leaks or sprays through the ap erture 1 about the stem 1.6. The baffle 19 also serves as a stop to limit the downward movement of the valve. The stem 16 is longitudinally grooved as at 20. The grooves 20 extend from the valve upwardly a SUlTh cient distance to reach above the diaphragm when the va ve is in lowermost position, and form passageways for the water through the diaphragm. However the movement of the valve is not sufflcient to bring the grooves above the top 3 of the shell 2. It should be noted that the water passing above the edge of the pocket 13 impinges with equal force simultaneously upon all sides of valve stem and valve.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a valve of the class described, a valve shell having side discharge openings, a diaphragm in said shell below said discharge openings, a valve seat formed in the underface of said diaphragm, an inlet member secured to the lower end of said shell and having a centrally disposed pocket therein, a ball valve and a float and a valve stem ex tending through the said diaphragm and the top of said shell and coupling said valve and said float, substantially as described.

2. In a valve of the class described, a valve shell having side discharge openings, a diaphragm in said shell below said openings, a float and ball valve, a stem passing through said diaphragm and the top of said shell and coupling said valve and said float, and downwardly extending lips on the upper edges of said discharge openings, substantially as described.

3. In a valve of the class described, a valve shell having side discharge openings, a diaphragm in said shell below said discharge openings, said diaphragm having a concave underface, and a valve seat therein, an inlet member secured to the lower end of said shell and having a centrally disposed pocket therein, said. pocket being closed at the bottom and opened at the top in a plane with the upper edge of said inlet member, a valve of less diameter than said pocket and adapted to freely enter thereinto as the water is withdrawn, a float and a stem connecting said valve and said float and passing through said diaphragm and said shell, substantially as described.

4. In a valve of the class described, a valve shell having side discharge openings, a diaphragm in said shell below said openings, a float and ball valve, a longitudinally grooved stem passing through said diaphragmand coupling saidvalve and float and a pocket below said diaphragm, sub stantially as described.

5. In a valve of the class described, a valve shell having a top closure and side dis charge openings, a diaphragm in said shell below said opening, a float and a ball valve, a stem passing through said diaphragm and the top closure of said shell and coupling said valve and float, and a dish secured to said stem above said closure, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE J. GRIFFIN.

Witnesses ANNA L. EKVALL, HOWARD S. AUsTrN. 

